Des Kelly
KELLY, Desmond Roy (Des) BE(Hons) PhD FIEAust FTSE AM (1934-2015)
Des Kelly was born in Bassendean on February 4, 1934. He was the son of Works Clerk Roy Kelly and his wife Muriel Marguerite Kelly, née Evans. His education commenced at Bassendean West Road Primary School in 1940. In 1946 he studied at Midland Junction High School until 1948 when he won a scholarship to Perth Modern School where he completed his Leaving in 1950. In 1946 he had worked in the bag room at Cumming Smith and Mount Lyell during his school vacation, and this experience motivated him to strive for a more meaningful career.
In 1951, Des initially enrolled in science at the University of Western Australia, but on reading the University Handbook he transferred to an engineering course. He applied for and was successful in gaining a cadetship with the Public Works Department that provided paid vacation employment. Des was also awarded the University of Western Australia ISAS Scholarship in 1954. After he completed his bachelor's degree course in December 1955, Des was appointed to Harbours and Rivers Branch of the Public Works Department. He first worked on the Fremantle Harbour Works in Perth before moving to WA's North and working on the Wyndham Jetty.
On June 14, 1958 Des married Pamela Margaret Loveridge, and they had two children, the first of whom, Brian, was born in Broome in 1964.
In September 1960 Des undertook further study at Queen Mary College at the University of London, supported by a Gledden Fellowship and a Draper’s Scholarship. He completed a PhD in structural engineering in 1963. By November 1963 he was back in WA’s North, working on the Derby Jetty. His first full project responsibility was as Resident Engineer on the Broome Deep Water Jetty from Easter 1964.
In August 1966 Kelly returned to Perth to work in the PWD Executive, directly under PWD Director of Engineering, John Parker. Des’s role included facilitating the rapid development of townsites and infrastructure associated with the resources sector. One of the projects he supported was the Mount Newman Project, initiated in April 1967 and operational two years later.
Des’s work in developing the North West continued when he was appointed Chair of the Pilbara Regional Development Committee in 1967, having a major role in establishing infrastructure to support both the iron ore and gas industries, including railways, ports and the township of Karratha.
In the 1960’s Des plotted out the “Kelly Line” for development in Karratha. The line defined the limit of townsite development to avoid any impact from storm surges and high tides. The Kelly Line was later validated by James Cook University.
In 1972 Kelly was transferred to the Department of Development and Decentralisation as Principal Assistant Development. In 1975 the organisation became the Department of Industrial Development and his role was as Deputy Coordinator. He continued in this role when in 1980 the organisation became the Department of Resources Development.
Des was appointed as Under Secretary for Mines in 1980 (later designated as Director General of the WA Department of Minerals and Energy), continuing in this role until 1993. He then became Director of the WA Department of Resources Development until 1999. In 1992 he was awarded an AM for his services to mining.
Being keen to develop the next generation of engineers, Des was elected to the Senate of Murdoch University (1982 – 1991) and was Pro Chancellor in 1991. He was also elected to be a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology, Science and Engineering in 1989.
Des was active in supporting hockey in Western Australia, being a member of its executive council from 1981 to 1990. In 1995, Des was made a Life Member of the WA Hockey Association.
Des retired from the Department of Resources Development on his 65th birthday in February 1999 with his last activity being to oversee the sale of the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline. Colin Barnett, the then Resources Development Minister, paid tribute to Des’s extensive contribution to the mining community:
“Dr Des Kelly's dedication to the growth of the State's resources industry was synonymous with the sector's emergence as the mainstay of Western Australia's economy.”
Des was a member of the Board of the WA Waters and Rivers Commission from 1999 to 2005 and Chairman of the Alinta Gas Sale Steering Committee from 1999 to 2000.
Des had a long association with the Institution of Engineers Australia, joining as a Student Member in 1953 and ultimately becoming a Fellow by 1979. Des died on May 17, 2015, aged 81.
References:
Prospect Magazine, December 2006 to February 2007
Tribute to Des Kelly on his retirement accessed 5.9.2020
Margaret Sacks (editor), The WAY 79 Who is Who, Crawley Publishers, Nedlands, 1980
Focus Issue 191 page 41 accessed 5.9.2020
Juliette Ludbrook, Desmond Roy Kelly Transcript, Battye Library Oral History Collection, 25.3.2004
